ACI welcomes Jeffrey and Rachel!

Please join us in welcoming Jeffrey Anthony and Rachel Gabrilowitz to the ACI team!

Jeff was recently hired to be the Project Director of Middlesex LEADS. LEADS is a collaborative between ACI and the Middlesex County Center for Empowerment. LEADS hopes to increase each agencies capacity to serve sexual violence survivors and prevent victimization against persons with disabilities. The project is supported by a grant from the Office on Violence Against Women, US Department of Justice.

Rachel will be working as an Independent Living Specialist/Pre-vocational Instructor. She is a recent graduate of Brandeis University and comes to ACI with lots of enthusiasm and a passion to help people with disabilities reach their independent living goals!

 

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Brian Mazzarella.

How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits

Written By Eric Minghella, Volunteer Blog Writer for ACI

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits
If a medical condition has made it impossible for you to work and earn a living, you might be eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees two separate disability programs. These programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is a program for disabled workers, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which is for disabled workers but is not based on work history but on financial need. In most cases, those who have physical disabilities are more likely to be awarded SSDI while those with intellectual disabilities are more likely to receive SSI benefits.

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Posted on February 15, 2018 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Volunteer Blog.

Workshop on Assistive Technology

ACI would like to thank Billy Busch, Executive Director of Membership Services at Community Access Unlimited, for his informative workshop entitled Assistive Technology and Independent Living. Staff, volunteers and others learned about the technology, from the latest gadgets, computer apps, home modifications and assistive technology that enable people with disabilities to become more independent in their own homes. Thank you Billy!

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Workshop.

Tour of FedEx Warehouse


Recently, participants in ACI's pre-employment programs enjoyed a tour of the FedEx warehouse facility in Edison and to learn about employment in the company. Thank you to Dan Moscowitz, Manager of Dock of Operations and Patrick Tynion, Manager, Facilities Maintenance who conducted the tour.

Interested in working for FedEx? Go to: GroundWarehouseJobs.fedex.com

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Employment.

ACI and Middlesex OEM Featured on FEMA Webinar

On February 12th, Carole Tonks, ACI Director, and John Ferguson, Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management, were pleased to be presenters for a FEMA hosted webinar that featured a discussion about best practices, lessons learned, and challenges for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs during the response and recovery phases of a disaster.

More specifically, it featured Core Advisory Groups (CAGs), which consist of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, FEMA personnel, local emergency managers, and other concerned stakeholders who work together to bring about change in how emergency services are provided.

To view the webinar, please visit: icpd.adobeconnect.com/piy97gje541a

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Brian Mazzarella and filed under Emergency Preparedness.

ACI Represented at Muscular Dystrophy Association Event

On February 3rd, ACI was represented at The Muscular Dystrophy Association information outreach event held at the Robert Wood Johnson's Clinical Academic Building in New Brunswick. This event also featured other organizations including NJWINS Program, Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ), Mobility Works, and The Family Support Center of Middlesex County, and Walgreen's Pharmacy.

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Brian Mazzarella.